In such structures, the may well be supposed to be is so, even in species that one side only, such as th branacea, which forms a g tation on the fronds of the The Rev. Dr. Landsboro specimen having seen five feet in length, and breadth. And he adds, had been inhabited by a counting the cells on a culated that this web been the work and habit millions of industrious happy inmates; so tha on a submarine island, number to the populat It is not a little our creatures so minute some points, be so 1 Professor Pig. 19), they sea-mats" Though the is not thicker than a sheet it contains rows of cells on ese cells differ in shape in es; in one that is common on the coast (Flustra truncats) when magnified, the appear nted in Fig. 20. structures, the number of cells e supposed to be very great. It in species that have cells on only, such as the Flustra mem which forms a gauze-like incrus-justme the fronds of the larger sea-weeds . Dr. Landsborough mentions his seen a specimen of this zoophyteoductio et in length, and eight inches in 1. And he adds, "as every little cell en inhabited by a living polype, ng the cells on a square inch, I cal ed that this web of silvery lace had the work and habitation of above two ions of industrious and, we doubt not, py inmates; so that this single colony a submarine island, was about equal 1 amber to the population of Scotland." It is not a little curious to consider, that Creatures so minute as these, should, some points, be so highly organized, t Por Owen, after giving structural here larger sea-weeds; and at other times, as in the example annexed (Fig. 19), they assume a plant-like form, and are known Fig. 19. Fig. 20. of change, enjoyed, for a brief period, as ciliated gemmules, the power of locomotion -that being the means appointed for their dispersion and distribution. There is a species described by Mr. Hassall, the gemmules of which are of such a size as to be seen by the unassisted eye, and which perform their evolutions with great ease and rapidity. They may be often seen to run along the water in a straight line for several inches, at a pace which would far outstrip the fleetest Newmarket racer-the relative sizes of the two creatures being taken into consideration. And it is not a little curious to observe, that, no matter how many ova may be moving about in the same space, still they never come in contact, appearing to avoid each other as carefully as though they were possessed of eyes." Some ascidian zoophytes are found in by the name of "sea-mats." Though the fresh water, and exhibit a beautiful horseentire substance is not thicker than a sheet shoe crescent of tentacula. The whole of of letter paper, it contains rows of cells on our fresh-water zoophytes will ere long be each side. These cells differ in shape in elucidated by one of the valuable publidifferent species; in one that is common on cations of the Ray Society, a monograph many parts of the coast (Flustra truncata) upon them being now in course of prepathey exhibit, when magnified, the appear-ration by Professor Allman. ánce represented in Fig. 20. In such structures, the number of cells may well be supposed to be very great. It is so, even in species that have cells on one side only, such as the Flustra membranacea, which forms a gauze-like incrustation on the fronds of the larger sea-weeds. The Rev. Dr. Landsborough mentions his having seen a specimen of this zoophyte five feet in length, and eight inches in breadth. And he adds, "as every little cell had been inhabited by a living polype, by counting the cells on a square inch, I calculated that this web of silvery lace had been the work and habitation of above two millions of industrious and, we doubt not, happy inmates; so that this single colony on a submarine island, was about equal in number to the population of Scotland." It is not a little curious to consider, that creatures so minute as these, should, in some points, be so highly organized, that Professor Owen, after giving structural details, which would here be out of place, remarks, that they "present an alimentary canal as complicated and as highly elaborated as in the bird." And perhaps it is even more curious, and far more interesting to reflect on the fact, that these microscopic polypes, though fettered in their mature condition to one spot, and wholly incapable Genus Flustra; a word derived from the Saxon, and signifying, "to weave." I have but another remark to make; it is, that some of these ascidian polypes are possessed of luminosity, in that respect resembling some of those noticed in former pages of the Family Friend. Of one such species, (bearing the name Membranipora stellata), Dr. Landsborough happily remarks, that on being bent or shaken, it "became doubly entitled to the name of stellated; for every polype in its cell lighted up a very brilliant little star, and for a short time the polypidom became like an illuminated city." As many of these animals, and others to be named hereafter, live "full fathoms five" under the sea, and must be sought for occasionally at depths of twenty or thirty fathoms, or even more-it may naturally be asked, by what means are they to be reached? The instrument most effective for this purpose is cheap, simple, and easily managed. It is known as the Naturalist's dredge, or as Ball's dredge; so called from Dr. Ball, of Dublin, the gentle man by whom it has been brought to its present state of portability and usefulness. The upper part consists of an iron rim of four sides, to which a bag of fine net work, or open canvas, is attached (Fig. 21). The two longest sides are twelve inches each in length, the shorter, or connecting sides, three inches. The longer sides are thick below, and "bevelled " away above: At tached to the shorter sides are two arms, which are united together above by a screw passing through a ring, and can be separated at pleasure. These arms are attached Fig. 21. by pivots to the side, so that they turn with ease, and thus adapt themselves to the varying position of the dredger, the greater or less length of his rope, and the quicker or slower movement of the boat. Possessing this simple means of adjustment, the dredge, attached by a rope, which the dredger holds in his hand, is slowly dragged along the bottom, and marine productions of various kinds collected in its net or bag. One or two small wire sieves of different degrees of fineness are convenient for receiving the contents of the dredge when pulled up, and giving facilities for washing them from mud and sand, and separating the more delicate specimens from those by which they might be injured. I have found, also, a small basket, with divisions, such as those used by wine merchants for keeping bottles from coming into contact, very useful and convenient for holding in safety a few open-mouthed glass jars, to which living specimens might be at once transferred, and kept alive in sea-water for examination. One single "haul" of the dredge will sometimes furnish occupation for successive days. ing net. A hoop of stout brass wire, about equal in diameter to the crown of a man's hat, can be procured almost anywhere. A bag of open canvas, or any similar material, is sewed round this hoop, and three strings attached, as shown in the annexed sketch (Fig. 22). They are joined to a cord, which may either be held in the hand or tied round any convenient part of the boat. On a fine summer day such a net can be used without toil or trouble; its contents can be transferred to the glass jars filled with sea-water; and endless is the variety of lovely animated forms that will thus present themselves to the eye of the observer. This simple, inexpensive, and easily managed apparatus, I would venture to recommend to all who spend a portion of the summer months at the sea-side. It will open to them a new source of amusement, and tempt them onwards in the investigation of nature. I have known a lady to convert an old veil into a most effective towing-net; and have seen her chimney-piece decorated with living blossoms, not less beautiful than those of the animals so transparent that they appear parterre. There are like crystals endued with life, and moulded into beauty; and I trust a time is now coming when the knowledge of them will extended to all who, with pure eyes and not be confined to the man of science, but simple hearts, look abroad on the fair face the summer sea, no less than in the daisyof creation; and, in the rippling wave of spangled lawn, seek out the marvels with which they are replete, and feel while doing so, the deep significance of the words, The sea is HIS, and HE made it, and His hands prepared the dry land." some of these sea (To be continued.) POWER OF THE PEOPLE.-Much as a wise government may do, and it ought to do the very utmost that it can, there is no government, whe ther conservative, reforming, or radical, which And, as I am speaking of implements, I can do the hundredth part of what the people can and must do for themselves, if they are to bear up may mention another, which is even more against inevitable burdens, and recover permaportable, and more easily managed-a tow-nent prosperity.-Edinburgh Review. SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. Gibraltar had been taken by a combined English and Dutch fleet in 1704, and was confirmed as a British possession, in 1713, by the peace of Utrecht; but in 1779 it was assailed by the united forces of France and Spain, and the siege continued till the 2nd of February, 1783. The chief attack was made on the 13th September, 1782. On the part of the besiegers, besides stupendous batteries on the land side, mounting two hundred pieces of ordnance, there was an army of 40,000 men, under the command of the Duc de Crillon. In the bay lay the combined fleets of France and Spain, comprising forty-seven sail of the line, besides ten battering ships of powerful construction, that cost upwards of £50,000 each. From these the heaviest shells rebounded, but ultimately two of them were set on fire by red-hot shot, and the others were destroyed to prevent them from falling into the hands of the British commander. The rest of the fleet also suffered considerably; but the defenders escaped with very little loss. In this engagement 8,300 rounds were fired by the garrison, more than half of which consisted of red-hot balls. During this memorable siege which lasted upwards of three years, the entire expenditure of the garrison exceeded 200,000 rounds,8,000 barrels of powder being used. The expenditure of the enemy, enormous as this quantity is, must have been much greater; for they frequently fired from their landbatteries, 4,000 rounds in the short space of twenty-four hours. Terrific indeed must have been the spectacle as the immense fortress poured forth its tremendous volleys, and the squadron and land-batteries replied with a powerful cannonade. But all this waste of human life and of property was useless on the part of the assailants; for the place was successfully held, and Gibraltar still remains one of the principal strongholds of British power in Europe. During the progress of the siege, the fortifications were considerably strengthened, and numerous galleries were excavated in the solid rock, having port holes at which heavy guns were mounted, which, keeping up an incessant fire, proved very efficacious in destroying the enemy's encampments on the land side. Communicating with the |